The Giver by Lois Lowry
Chapters 11-13
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Part I. Below are the sentences in which the vocabulary words appear in the text. Read the sentences. Use any clues
you can find in the sentences combined with your prior knowledge then write what you think the underlined words
mean in the spaces provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
He was filled with energy, and he breathed again, feeling the sharp intake of frigid air.
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He could see a bright, whirling torrent of crystals in the air around him, and he could see them gather on the
backs of his hands, like cold fur.
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Tentatively he opened his eyes–not his snow-hill-sled eyes, for they had been open throughout the strange
ride.
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It wasn’t a practical thing, so it became obsolete when we went to Sameness.
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You should be able to perceive the name without being told.
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He was aware of his own admonition not to discuss his training.
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When I was observing you, before the selection, I perceived that you probably had the capacity, and what
you describe confirms that.
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it was so–oh, I wish language were more precise.
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“You’ve come quickly to that conclusion,” he said.
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“It was chaos,” he said.
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Part II: Match the vocabulary words with their dictionary definitions.
___ 11. frigid
___ 12. torrent
___ 13. tentatively
___ 14. obsolete
___ 15. perceive
___ 16. admonition
___ 17. capacity
___ 18. precise
___ 19. conclusion
___ 20. chaos
A. no longer in use
B. become aware of through the senses
C. exact
D. the end or finish
E. a heavy downpour
F. ability to learn
G. uncertain; hesitant
H. confusion
I. very cold
J. reminder of a forgotten task or duty
Short Answer Study Guide Questions
To help you better understand the events in the story, answer the following questions. Write your answers in
complete sentences on the back of this sheet.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Describe Jonas's consciousness while he received the memory.
What words or concepts did Jonas experience?
What happened to the old man's memory of the ride on the sled after he transmitted it to Jonas?
What kind of questions did Jonas ask about snow, sleds, and hills? What was the old man's answer?
What is Jonas's response?
25. Jonas though the Receiver of Memory had power. What did the old man tell him?
26. What did the old man tell Jonas to call him? Why?
27. Describe Jonas's experiences of "seeing beyond."
28. What was happening when Jonas "saw beyond?" Why was it important?
29. Could the other people in the Community see colors? If not, why not?
30. Summarize the conversation between Jonas and The Giver about choices.
31. The Giver explained why the people needed a Receiver of Memory. What were the reasons?